SECT.   IV]         FLAYS   OF  SHAKESPEARE	155
her privileges and rank in the household; and
observe the mode of connection by accidents of
time and place, and the childlike fondness of
repetition in a second childhood, and also that
happy, humble, ducking under, yet constant
resurgence against, the check of her superiors !;
Yes, madam!—Yet I cannot choose but langh, etc.
In the fourth scene we have Mercutio intro-
duced to us. O! how shall I describe that
exquisite ebullience and overflow of youthful life,
wafted on over the* laughing waves of pleasure
and prosperity, as a wanton beauty that distorts
the face on which she knows her lover is gazing
enraptured, and wrinkles her forehead in triumph
of its smoothness ! Wit ever wakeful, fancy busy
and procreative as an insect, courage, an easy
mind that, without cares of its own, is at once
disposed to laugh away those of others, and
yet to be interested in them—these and all
congenial qualities, melting into the common
copula of them all, the man of rank and the
gentleman, with all its excellencies and all its
weaknesses, constitute the character of Mercutio J
Act i. sc. 5.
Tyb. It fits when such a villian is a guest;
Til not endure him,
Cap. He shall be endur'd.
What, goodman boy!—I say, he shall:—Go to ;—
Am I the master here, or you?—Go to.
You'll not endure him!—God shall mend my soul—
You'll make a mutiny among my guests!
You will set cock-a-hoop! you'll be the man!
Tyb. Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.
Cap. Go to, go to,
You are a saucy boy! etc.—